Maternal attachment state of mind and perinatal emotional wellbeing: Findings from a pregnancy cohort study

Megan Galbally; Stuart Watson; Andrew J. Lewis; Josephine Power; Niels Buus; Marinus van IJzendoorn

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.016

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Maternal attachment state of mind and perinatal emotional wellbeing: Findings from a pregnancy cohort study

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Maternal attachment state of mind and perinatal emotional wellbeing: Findings from a pregnancy cohort study

Megan Galbally, Stuart Watson, Andrew J. Lewis, Josephine Power, Niels Buus and Marinus van IJzendoorn

Journal of affective disorders, Vol.333, pp.297-304

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.016

PMID: 37062497

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Abstract

Attachment

Cortisol

Depression

Parenting

Pregnancy

Objectives Maternal attachment state of mind is an important potential predictor of risk and resilience to perinatal emotional wellbeing and early parenting. To explore maternal attachment in relation to perinatal depression and emotional wellbeing. Methods This study drew on data collected within an ongoing cohort from 170 women recruited in early pregnancy, including 67 who met criteria for Major Depression. Maternal attachment state of mind was assessed with the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) in pregnancy. Additional measures included the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM (SCID), at 12 months the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP), Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Parenting Stress Index, and antenatal maternal hair cortisol concentrations (HCC). Limitations Sample size to be able to undertake all analyses using the 4 way classifications, cortisol measurement is limited to hair only and there is no prospectively collected measure of childhood trauma in mothers. Conclusions This study found that maternal attachment, specifically the Non-Autonomous states of mind, adjusted for clinical depression, was associated with higher cortisol in pregnancy and higher depressive symptoms across pregnancy and the postpartum. Furthermore, separately those with depression and Non-Autonomous states of mind also had higher postpartum parenting stress. There was no significant intergenerational concordance between AAI and SSP attachment classifications. Our findings support future research exploring the role of maternal attachment state of mind in understanding perinatal depression and emotional wellbeing.

Details

Title: Maternal attachment state of mind and perinatal emotional wellbeing: Findings from a pregnancy cohort study
Authors/Creators: Megan Galbally - Monash University
Stuart Watson - Monash University
Andrew J. Lewis - Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Australia
Josephine Power - Monash University
Niels Buus - Monash University
Marinus van IJzendoorn - Erasmus University Rotterdam
Publication Details: Journal of affective disorders, Vol.333, pp.297-304
Publisher: Elsevier B.V
Identifiers: 991005597069907891
Murdoch Affiliation: Health Futures Institute; Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.72 Obstetrics & Gynecology; 1.72.1072 Perinatal Mental Health
Web Of Science research areas: Clinical Neurology; Psychiatry
ESI research areas: Psychiatry/Psychology